Body Temperature Body Temperature Guide Body temperature is a measure of your body's ability to make and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface. You may start to sweat. As the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body. When you are too cold, your blood vessels narrow. This reduces blood flow to your skin to save body heat. You may start to shiver. When the muscles tremble this way, it helps to make more heat. Your body temperature can be measured in many places on your body. The most common ones are the mouth , the ear, the armpit , and the rectum. Temperature can also be measured on your forehead. show body temperature in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C). In the United States, temperatures are often measured in degrees Fahrenheit. The standard in most other countries is degrees Celsius. Normal body temperature Most people think a normal body temperature is an oral temperature (by mouth ) of 98.6°F (37°C).

This is an average of normal body temperatures. Your normal temperature may actually be 1°F (0.6°C) or more above or below this. Also, your normal temperature changes by as much as 1°F (0.6°C) during the day, depending on how active you are and the time of day. Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone levels. So a woman's temperature may be higher or lower when she is ovulating or having her menstrual period. A rectal or ear temperature reading will be a little higher than an oral reading. A temperature taken in the armpit will be a little lower than an oral reading. The most accurate way to measure temperature is to take a rectal reading. Fever In most adults, a fever is an oral temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) or a rectal or ear temperature above 101°F (38.3°C). A child has a fever when his or her rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Temperature of a Healthy Human (Body Temperature) - The Physics Factbook Temperature of a Healthy Human (Body Temperature) Campbell, Neil A. Biology. 3rd ed.

California: Benjamin Cummings, 1987: 790. "… a human can maintain its 'internal pond' at a constant temperature of 37 °C" 37 °C "Temperature, Body." World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: Field Enterprises, 1996. "… a healthy, resting adult human being is 98.6 °F (37.0 °C)" 37.0 °C Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations. 2nd ed. Canada: Delmar, 1988: 150-151. "… the normal range for body temperature is 97 to 100 degrees fahrenheit or 36.1 to 37.8 degrees celsius" 36.1–37.8 °C Eisman, Louis. Biology and Human Progress. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1972: 125. "… fairly constant temperature of 98.6 degrees" 37.0 °C McGovern, Celeste. "Snatched From an Icy Death." Alberta Report/Western Report.

Academic Abstracts: United Western Communications, 1994: 2. "… core body temperature … the normal 37 °C" 37.0 °C The normal core body temperature of a healthy, resting adult human being is stated to be at 98.6 degrees fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees celsius. Though the body temperature measured on an individual can vary, a healthy human body can maintain a fairly consistent body temperature that is around the mark of 37.0 degrees celsius. The normal range of human body temperature varies due to an individuals metabolism rate, the higher (faster) it is the higher the normal body temperature or the slower the metabolic rate the lower the normal body temperature. Other factors that might affect the body temperature of an individual may be the time of day or the part of the body in which the temperature is measured at. The body temperature is lower in the morning, due to the rest the body received, and higher at night after a day of muscular activity and after food intake. Body temperature also varies at different parts of the body. Oral temperatures, which are the most convenient type of temperature measurement, is at 37.0 °C.

This is the accepted standard temperature for the normal core body temperature. Axillary temperatures are an external measurement taken in the armpit or between two folds of skin on the body. This is the longest and most inaccurate way of measuring body temperature, the normal temperature falls at 97.6 °F or 36.4 °C. Rectal temperatures are an internal measurement taken in the rectum, which fall at 99.6 °F or 37.6 °C. It is the least time consuming and most accurate type of body temperature measurement, being an internal measurement. But it is definitely, by far, not the most comfortable method to measure the body temperature of an individual. Lena Wong -- 1997 Standardized Result Mackowiak, P.A., Wasserman, S. S., and Levine, M. M. A Critical Appraisal of 98.6 Degrees F, the Upper Limit of the Normal Body Temperature, and Other Legacies of Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich . Journal of the American Medical Association. 268, 12 (23-30 September 1992): 1578-80.

"Our findings conflicted with Wunderlich's in that 36.8 degrees C (98.2 degrees F) rather than 37.0 degrees C (98.6 degrees F) was the mean oral temperature of our subjects …. Thirty-seven degrees centigrade (98.6 degrees F) should be abandoned as a concept relevant to clinical thermometry …." 36.8 °C "Fever: finding the right temp." Nursing 93. 23 (June 1993): 82. [Abstract Source: FirstSearch . H.W. Wilson. 1997.] "Abstract: A recent study of body temperature in 148 healthy adults revealed that only 8 percent of 700 readings were "normal", i.e., 98.6 °F or 37 °C. In addition, diurnal, sex, and racial differences were observed. It is suggested that a feverish state may not be implied unless the body temperature exceeds 99.9 °F or 37.7 °C." not 37 °C Mackowiak P.A., Worden G.

Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich and the evolution of clinical thermometry . Clinical Infectious Diseases. 18, 3 (March 1994): 458-67. [Find this paper! Not just the abstract.] [Find it!] Cutnell, John D. & Kenneth W. Johnson. Physics. 3rd ed. New York: Wiley, 1995: 392. "What is your normal body temperature? It's probably not 98.6 °F, the oft-quoted average that was determined in the nineteenth century. A recent study has reported an average temperature of 98.2 °F." 36.8 °C Shoemaker, Allen L. What's Normal? Temperature, Gender, and Heart Rate . Journal of Statistics Education. 4, 2 (1996). "One population mean that students all 'know' is the mean normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees F.

What is surprising is that recent medical research has posited that the mean normal temperature is really 98.2 degrees F!" 36.8 °C [Shoemaker supplies text files consisting of body temperature and heart rate data for 65 men and 65 women. This appears to be Mackowiak's data from the 1992 paper in JAMA . The values reported to the right are the mean values ± the standard deviation.] 98.4±0.7 °F Vital Signs . Family Internet [dead website]. Applied Medical Informatics, 1996. Age > 13 year 97.8–99.1 36.6–37.3 °C Cox, Paul. Glossary of Mathematical Mistakes [dead website]. 1998. [Citation of: Dewdney, A. K., 200% of Nothing: An Eye Opening Tour Through the Twists and Turns of Math Abuse and Innumeracy. New York: Wiley, 1993.] "For decades it was thought that the normal body temperature was 98.6 °F.

This number was calculated from a study in Germany which reported normal at 37 °C. What was not known was that this number was an average rounded to the nearest degree. In other words it was only accurate to two significant digits, not the three we have with 98.6. Scientists today know that normal is actually 98.2 plus or minus 0.6, that is to say anything in the range of 97.6° to 98.8° should be considered normal." 36.4–37.1 °C Sund-Levander, Märtha; Christina Forsberg and Lis Karin Wahren. Normal oral, rectal, tympanic and axillary body temperature in adult men and women: a systematic literature review . Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. Vol. 16 No. 2 (June 2002): 122.

"When summarizing studies with strong or fairly strong evidence the range for oral temperature was 33.2–38.2 °C, rectal: 34.4–37.8 °C, tympanic: 35.4– 37.8 °C and axillary: 35.5–37.0 °C. The range in oral temperature for men and women, respectively, was 35.7–37.7 and 33.2–38.1 °C, in rectal 36.7–37.5 and 36.8–37.1 °C, and in tympanic 35.5–37.5 and 35.7–37.5 °C." [see table below] I vaguely remember hearing that the oft-quoted healthy human body temperature of 98.6 degrees fahrenheit was a "factoid" -- a statement treated as factual that has, in fact, never been verified. I have sent students out in search of real research on this matter, but they have all come up negative. It is a surprisingly difficult assignment.

Source after source faithfully states that the temperature of a healthy human body is 98.6 °F or 37 °C -- no exceptions, end of story. The table above hints at the "truth"of the matter. The first systematic measurements of human body temperature were performed by the German physician Carl Wunderlich. In 1861 he measured the temperatures of one million healthy individuals (a sample size that seems too large to be believed). The average value was reported as 37 degrees celsius. When converted this value becomes 98.6 degreed fahrenheit. So what's the problem? Wunderlich's value has only two significant figures while the converted value has three. The last digit (the "point six" at the end) should be regarded with great suspicion. Wunderlich's converted value should really be stated as "ninety eight point something" if one is being honest. In 1992 Mackowiak, Wasserman, and Levine measured the body temperatures of 65 men and 65 women and came up with a value of 36.8 °C (98.2 °F). You can do a statistical analysis of the data yourself.

The numbers are available online at numerous websites including The Physics Factbook (see body-temperature.txt ). The findings of Sund-Levander, et al. are summarized in the table below. Body Temperature | HealthLink BC Body Temperature Body Temperature British Columbia Specific Information Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. There are 4 ways to take (measure) a temperature: under the armpit (axillary method), in the mouth (oral method), in the ear (tympanic method) and in the rectum/bum (rectal method). Safe and accurate temperature taking is important especially in young children. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #99 How to Take a Temperature: Children and Adults , or visit Canadian Paediatric Society – Temperature measurement in paediatrics and Caring for Kids – Fever and temperature taking . If your child has a fever, home treatment can include giving over the counter medication such as acetaminophen, to help lower their temperature. The amount of medication to give depends on the age and weight of your child.

If you have questions about taking a temperature, body temperatures or fever, speak with your health care provider or call 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse or pharmacist. Our nurses are available anytime, every day of the year, and our pharmacists are available every night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Top of the page Test Overview Body temperature is a measure of your body's ability to make and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface. You may start to sweat. As the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body. When you are too cold, your blood vessels narrow. This reduces blood flow to your skin to save body heat. You may start to shiver. When the muscles tremble this way, it helps to make more heat. Your body temperature can be measured in many places on your body. The most common ones are the mouth, the ear, the armpit, and the rectum. Temperature can also be measured on your forehead.

Thermometers show body temperature in either degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F), depending on the custom of the region. In Canada, temperatures are often measured in degrees Celsius. This is also standard in most other countries. Normal body temperature Most people think a normal body temperature is an oral temperature (by mouth) of 37°C (98.6°F). This is an average of normal body temperatures. Your normal temperature may actually be 0.6°C (1°F) or more above or below this. Also, your normal temperature changes by as much as 0.6°C (1°F) during the day, depending on how active you are and the time of day. Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone levels. So a woman's temperature may be higher or lower when she is ovulating or having her menstrual period. A rectal or ear temperature reading will be a little higher than an oral reading. A temperature taken in the armpit will be a little lower than an oral reading. The most accurate way to measure temperature is to take a rectal reading.

Fever In most adults, a fever is an oral temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) or a rectal or ear temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F). A child has a fever when his or her rectal temperature is 38°C (100.4°F) or higher or armpit (axillary) temperature is 37.6°C (99.7°F) or higher. A fever may occur as a reaction to: Infection. This is the most common cause of a fever. Infections may affect the whole body or one body part. Medicines. These include antibiotics , narcotics , antihistamines , and many others. This is called a "drug fever." Medicines like antibiotics raise the body temperature directly. Other medicines keep the body from resetting its temperature when other things cause the temperature to rise. Severe trauma or injury. This may include heart attack, stroke, heatstroke , or burns. Other medical conditions. These include arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and even some cancers, such as leukemia and lung cancer.

Low body temperature (hypothermia) A very low body temperature (hypothermia) can be serious or even deadly. Low body temperature usually happens from being out in cold weather. But it may also be caused by alcohol or drug use, going into shock , or certain disorders such as diabetes or low thyroid . A low body temperature may occur with an infection. This is most common in newborns, older adults, or people who are frail. A very bad infection, such as sepsis , may also cause an abnormal low body temperature. High body temperature (heatstroke) Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to control its own temperature and body temperature keeps rising. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness) and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke can be deadly. It needs emergency medical treatment. It causes severe dehydration and can cause body organs to stop working. There are two types of heatstroke. Classic heatstroke can happen even when a person isn't doing much, as long as it's hot and the body isn't able cool itself well enough by sweating. The person may even stop sweating. Classic heatstroke may develop over several days.

Babies, older adults, and people who have chronic health problems have the greatest risk of this type of heatstroke. Exertional heatstroke may happen when a person is working or exercising in a hot place. The person may sweat a lot, but the body still makes more heat than it can lose. This causes temperature to rise to high levels. Why It Is Done Body temperature is measured to: Check for fever. Check for a very low body temperature in people who have been exposed to cold. Check for a very high body temperature in people who have been exposed to heat. Find out how well a fever-reducing medicine is working. Help a woman plan for pregnancy by finding out if she is ovulating. How To Prepare Take your temperature a few times when you are well. This will help you find out what is normal for you. Check your temperature in both the morning and evening. Body temperature can vary by as much as 0.6°C (1°C) during the day. Before you take your temperature: Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after you smoke, you eat, or you drink a hot or cold liquid. Wait at least an hour after hard exercise or a hot bath. There are different types of thermometers.

Electronic thermometers are plastic and shaped like a pencil. They have a display window at one end and the temperature probe at the other end. These thermometers can be used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. They are easy to use and easy to read. If you buy this type of thermometer, check the package for information about its accuracy. Ear thermometers are plastic and come in different shapes. The small cone-shaped end of the thermometer is placed in the ear. Body temperature is shown on a digital display. The results appear in seconds. Some models also show what the oral and rectal readings would be. Temporal artery thermometers have a small "cup" that is moved across the skin over the artery in the forehead. Products for taking temporal artery temperature (sweeping thermometer across your child's forehead) at home have not yet been shown to be accurate or reliable enough for home use. Glass thermometers that contain mercury are not recommended. If you have a glass thermometer, contact your local health unit to find out how to dispose of it safely. If you break a glass thermometer, call your local poison control centre right away. How It Is Done Before you take a temperature, read the instructions for how to use your type of thermometer.

Some common ways to take a temperature are described below. How to take an oral temperature Oral (by mouth) is the most common method of taking a temperature. For you to get an accurate reading, the person must be able to breathe through his or her nose. If this is not possible, use the rectum, ear, or armpit to take the temperature. Place the thermometer under the tongue, just to one side of the centre. Ask the person to close his or her lips tightly around it. Leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. Time yourself with a clock or watch. Some digital thermometers give a series of short beeps when the reading is done. Remove the thermometer and read it. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before you put it away. How to take a rectal temperature This is the most accurate way to measure body temperature. It is recommended for babies , small children, and people who can't hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. It is also used when it is very important to get the most accurate reading. Apply a lubricant jelly or petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, on the bulb of the thermometer. This will make it easy to insert.

With a baby or small child, turn the child face down on your lap or on a flat covered or padded surface, such as a bed. Choose a quiet place so that the child won't be distracted or move around too much. Spread the child's buttocks with one hand. With the other hand, gently insert the bulb end of the thermometer into the anus. Push it in about 1.25 cm (0.5 in.) to 2 cm (1 in.). Don't force it into the rectum. Hold the thermometer in place with two fingers close to the anus (not near the end of the thermometer). Pressing the child's buttocks together will help keep the thermometer in place. Leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. Time yourself with a watch or clock. Some digital thermometers give a series of short beeps when the reading is done. Remove the thermometer and read it. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before you put it away. Do not use a thermometer to take an oral temperature after it has been used to take a rectal temperature.

How to take an armpit (axillary) temperature Taking a temperature in the armpit may not be as accurate as taking an oral or rectal temperature. Place the thermometer under the arm with the bulb in the centre of the armpit. Press the arm against the body, and leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. Time yourself with a watch or clock. Remove the thermometer and read it. An armpit temperature reading may be as much as 0.6°C (1°F) lower than an oral temperature reading. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before you put it away. How to take an ear (tympanic) temperature Ear thermometers may need to be cleaned before they are used. Check that the probe is clean and free of debris. If dirty, wipe it gently with a clean cloth. Do not put the thermometer underwater. To keep the probe clean, use a disposable probe cover. Use a new cover each time you take an ear temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently pull the earlobe back. This will help you place the probe in the ear canal. Centre the probe tip in the ear, and push gently inward toward the eardrum.

Do not force it in. Press the "on" button to display the temperature reading. Remove the thermometer, and throw away the used cover. How It Feels Taking an oral temperature causes only mild discomfort. You have to keep the thermometer under your tongue and hold it in place with your lips. Taking a rectal temperature can cause a little discomfort, but it should not be painful. Taking an ear temperature causes little or no discomfort. The probe is not inserted very far into the ear, and it gives a reading in only a few seconds. Taking an armpit temperature does not cause any discomfort. Risks There is very little chance of a problem from taking a temperature. When taking a rectal temperature, do not push the thermometer in more than 1.25 cm (0.5 in.) to 2.5 cm (1 in.). Pushing it farther can be painful and may damage the rectum. Results Body temperature is a measure of your body's ability to make and get rid of heat. If you tell your doctor about your temperature reading, be sure to say where it was taken: in the mouth, rectum, armpit, or ear.

Body temperature Normal: The average normal temperature is 37°C (98.6°F). But that may not be normal for you. Your temperature also changes during the day. It is usually lowest in the early morning. It may rise as much as 0.6°C (1°F) in the early evening. Your temperature may also rise by 0.6°C (1°F) or more if you exercise on a hot day. A woman's body temperature often changes by 0.6°C (1°F) or more through her menstrual cycle. It peaks around the time she ovulates .

Abnormal: Oral, ear, rectal, or temporal artery temperature Fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.8°F) High fever: 40°C (104°F) and higher Armpit temperature Fever: 37.6°C (99.7°F) to 39.4°C (102.9°F) High fever: 39.8°C (103.6°F) and higher A rectal or ear temperature of less than 36.1°C (97°F) is a low body temperature (hypothermia). What Affects the Test A temperature reading may not be accurate if: You don't keep your mouth closed around the thermometer when taking an oral temperature. You don't leave the thermometer in place long enough before you read it. You don't put the thermometer in the right place. You don't follow the instructions that come with the thermometer. The thermometer has a weak or dead battery. You take your oral temperature within 20 minutes after smoking or after drinking a hot or cold liquid. You take your temperature within an hour of exercising hard or taking a hot bath.

What To Think About Thermometers with a digital display usually have a battery. If your thermometer uses a battery, make sure it is working before you take the temperature. Glass thermometers that contain mercury are not recommended. If you have a glass thermometer, contact your local health unit to find out how to dispose of it safely. If you break a glass thermometer, call your local poison control centre right away. A fever can make you feel uncomfortable. To reduce discomfort, wear light clothing and use light bedding. A lukewarm (not cool) bath or shower can lower body temperature. A fever can also lead to dehydration , so it is important to drink plenty of fluids. To learn more about fever, see: Celsius to Farenheit Converter - Android Apps on Google Play Celsius to Farenheit Converter ( 5) Description This is a very simple app designed to be a quick reference if you wish to convert Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F) or Fahrenheit to Celsius. With over 10000 downloads this is the temperature converter to have. Now available in over 40 Languages. Fahrenheit is used in the U.S.; Celsius is used in all other English-speaking countries.

Freezing point of water: 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 degrees Celsius. Boiling point of water: 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius. Room temperature: 65–68 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18–20 degrees Celsius. Nice warm weather: 72–81 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22–27 degrees Celsius. Cold frosty weather: 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or –18 degrees Celsius. Normal body temperature (in the mouth): 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius. Normal body temperature (in the armpit): 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit, or 36.6 degrees Celsius. Illness: 100–104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38–40 degrees Celsius. Oven: 300°F is 149°C; 350°F is 177°C; 400°F is 204°C; 500°F is 260°C. Some more equivalents Note: A few figures below have been rounded off to the nearest whole number.

–40 degrees Fahrenheit is –40 degrees Celsius; –22 degrees Fahrenheit is –30 degrees Celsius; –15 degrees Fahrenheit is –26 degrees Celsius; –10 degrees Fahrenheit is –23 degrees Celsius; –4 degrees Fahrenheit is –20 degrees Celsius; 0 degrees Fahrenheit is –18 degrees Celsius; 5 degrees Fahrenheit is –15 degrees Celsius; 10 degrees Fahrenheit is –12 degrees Celsius; 20 degrees Fahrenheit is –7 degrees Celsius; 25 degrees Fahrenheit is –4 degrees Celsius; 32 degrees Fahrenheit is 0 degrees Celsius; 35 degrees Fahrenheit is 2 degrees Celsius; 41 degrees Fahrenheit is 5 degrees Celsius; 50 degrees Fahrenheit is 10 degrees Celsius; 61 degrees Fahrenheit is 16 degrees Celsius; 65 degrees Fahrenheit is 18 degrees Celsius; 70 degrees Fahrenheit is 21 degrees Celsius; 75 degrees Fahrenheit is 24 degrees Celsius; 81 degrees Fahrenheit is 27 degrees Celsius; 86 degrees Fahrenheit is 30 degrees Celsius; 90 degrees Fahrenheit is 32 degrees Celsius; 95 degrees Fahrenheit is 35 degrees Celsius;

 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit is 36.6 degrees Celsius; 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is 37 degrees Celsius; 100 degrees Fahrenheit is 37.8 degrees Celsius; 101 degrees Fahrenheit is 38.3 degrees Celsius; 102 degrees Fahrenheit is 38.9 degrees Celsius; 103 degrees Fahrenheit is 39.4 degrees Celsius; 104 degrees Fahrenheit is 40 degrees Celsius; 110 degrees Fahrenheit is 43 degrees Celsius; 122 degrees Fahrenheit is 50 degrees Celsius; 140 degrees Fahrenheit is 60 degrees Celsius; 158 degrees Fahrenheit is 70 degrees Celsius; 176 degrees Fahrenheit is 80 degrees Celsius; 194 degrees Fahrenheit is 90 degrees Celsius; 212 degrees Fahrenheit is 100 degrees Celsius.

Examples Water boils at 212°F. (at two hundred twelve degrees Fahrenheit) Water freezes at 0°C. (at zero degrees Celsius) The temperature outside is 18 degrees below zero. (eighteen) The temperature outside is minus 18 degrees. It's cold outside. It is about three degrees above zero. It's very hot outside. It's about thirty-five degrees. It's very hot outside. It's about ninety-five degrees. My temperature is normal. My temperature is 36.6 degrees. (thirty-six point six) My temperature is normal. It's 98.6 degrees. (ninety-eight point six) Conversion formulas for the curious C = (F – 32) x 5 : 9 F = C x 9 : 5 + 32 climate Temperature Conversion - Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Réaumur, and Rankine Temperature Conversion Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Réaumur, and Rankine This converter requires the use of Javascript enabled and capable browsers. We have created a listing of the formulas needed to convert temperature to and from Celsius , Fahrenheit , Kelvin , Réaumur, and Rankine.

We have also created a temperature converter from those formulae, for your use. Though two of the five scales are not considered popular, there are still situations and applications that use them. The formulas can teach the process and the converter will make your life easier. There is a chart below the converter that displays at a glance the important ranges of each scale. Enjoy! (If your are a Type "A" personality and want to cut to the chase, try our faster, less word intense version . This still shows the formulae and has the calculator but the methodology of display is quite different.) Rankine: To use the temperature scale converter, input any whole or decimal number into any one of the scale boxes. Click on the Calculate button and the values for the other scales will appear in the appropriate boxes. In the formulas below, we use the mathematical standard computer conventions for algebraic and numeric expressions. The characters ([ ]) represent order of calculations, / represents division, * represents multiplication, - subtraction, + addition and = is equal. It is very important to follow the order of operations as different results can be obtained giving inaccurate results.

The common scales for most temperature expressions are Celsius and Fahrenheit while Kelvin, Réaumur, and Rankine are used for specialized scientific applications. Celsius and Fahrenheit Tc = (5/9)*(Tf-32); Tc = temperature in degrees Celsius, Tf = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit For example, assume you have a Fahrenheit temperature of 98.6 degrees and you desire to convert it into degrees on the Celsius scale. Using the above formula, you would first subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and get 66.6 as a result. Then you multiply 66.6 by five-ninths and get the converted value of 37 degrees Celsius. Below is the formula to convert a Celsius scale temperature into degrees on the Fahrenheit(commonly misspelled Farenheit) scale. As you might guess, it is the exact opposite of converting Fahrenheit to Celsius. Tf = (9/5)*Tc+32; Tc = temperature in degrees Celsius, Tf = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit Assume that you have a Celsius scale temperature of 100 degrees and you wish to convert it into degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.

Using the stated formula, you first multiply the Celsius scale temperature reading by nine-fifths and get a result of 180. Then add 32 to 180 and get the final converted result of 212 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale. Below is another accepted conversion method that works just as well and perhaps might be easier to remember. No matter which direction you want to covert, Fahrenheit to Celsius or Celsius to Fahrenheit, always first add 40 to the number. Next, multiply by 5/9 or 9/5 just like the first method. Then, always subtract out the 40 you just added to yield the final result. To remember whether to use 5/9 or 9/5 when converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius or Celsius to Fahrenheit, just simply remember, F (for Fahrenheit) begins with the same letter as Fraction. 5/9 is always a Fraction; while 9/5 is also a fraction, in this form, it is Clearly a whole number plus a fraction (1 and 4/5).

Thus, if you want to convert Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C), then use the Fraction 5/9; Celsius (C) to Fahrenheit (F), use the other, 9/5, which is Clearly not just a fraction. For an example of this method, we'll use the values we used in the initial example, 98.6 F and 37 C, which are equal. To convert from F to C, try these calculations manually. 98.6 + 40 = 138.6, and 138.6 * 5/9 = 77. For the final calculation, remove the 40. 77 - 40 = 37 To convert from C to F, try these calculations manually. 37 + 40 = 77, and 77 * 9/5 = 138.6. For the final calculation, remove the 40. 138.6 - 40 = 98.6 In summary, add 40, (F to C) multiply by Fraction...(C to F) multiply by the other, subtract 40. Go figure...

The Celsius temperature scale is still sometimes referred to as the "centigrade" scale. Centigrade means "consisting of or divided into 100 degrees;" the Celsius scale, devised by Swedish Astronomer Andres Celsius (1701-1744) for scientific purposes, has 100 degrees between the freezing point of 0 degrees and boiling point of 100 degrees of pure water at sea level air pressure, 29.92 inches of mercury. That pressure criteria is often called an atmosphere, or more commonly, standard pressure. The term Celsius was adopted in 1948 by an international conference on weights and measures. This is the most widely used scale in the world. On the Fahrenheit scale, used primarily in the United States, the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point is 212 degrees while measured at standard pressure. Zero degrees Fahrenheit was the coldest temperature that the German born scientist Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit could create with a mixture of ice and ordinary salt. He is credited with the invention of the mercury thermometer and introduced it and his scale in 1714 in Holland, where he lived most of his life.

His thermometer was based on the original design papers by Galileo for a temperature and pressure measuring device. Scientists use a third scale for unique measurements, called the absolute or Kelvin scale. This scale was invented by William Thomson, also know as Lord Kelvin, a British scientist who made important discoveries about heat in the 1800's. Scientists have determined that the coldest it can get, in theory, is minus 273.15 degrees Celsius. This temperature has never actually been reached, though scientists have come close. The value, minus 273.15 degrees Celsius, is called absolute zero. At this temperature scientists believe that molecular motion would stop. You can't get any colder than that. The Kelvin scale uses this number as zero. To get other temperatures in the Kelvin scale, you add 273 degrees to the Celsius temperature. Conversion is very straight forward, though, strangely enough, the word degree is not used with the Kelvin scale. A now somewhat obsolete scale is used in specific calculations and measurements. It was created by R A F de Raumur (1683-1757) a French scientist.

He knew nothing of Fahrenheit's work and did not use mercury, but did produce a good working thermometer. He used the freezing point of water as his zero mark, and put the boiling point at 80 degrees. This scale was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in France, in scientific communities. He has a greater claim to fame for much of the other scientific work he did. W J M Rankine (1820-1872), a Scottish engineer, created his scale, which was merely the Kelvin scale using the Fahrenheit degree instead of the Celsius. It has also had some wide use in scientific communities but is of no practical use in other areas of measurement.

Kelvin, Réaumur, and Rankine a °C = (4/5)a °Réaumur = [32 + (9/5)a] °F b °Réaumur = (5/4)b °C = [32 + (9/4)b] °F c °F = (5/9)(c - 32) °C = (4/9)(c - 32) °Réaumur t °C = (t + 273.15) K TK K = (TK - 273.15) °C = [1.80 * (TK - 273.15) + 32] °F = 1.80 TK °Rankine Temperature Scale Ranges °C: degree Celsius (centigrade), °Re: Réaumur, °F: degree Fahrenheit, K: Kelvin, °Ra: Rankine Fever Treatment, Causes & Home Remedies Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S.

board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. Quick GuideSore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference Fever facts Although a fever could be considered any body temperature above the normal 98.6 F (37 C), medically, a person is not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38.0 C).

Most fever is beneficial, causes no problems, and helps the body fight off infections. The main reason to treat a fever is to increase comfort. Fever is the result of an immune response by your body to a foreign invader. Foreign invaders include viruses , bacteria, fungi, drugs , or other toxins. Children under 3 months of age with a temperature of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or greater should be seen by a health-care professional. They may be quite ill and not show any signs or symptoms besides a fever. Infants younger than 6 weeks of age should be seen immediately by their doctor. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ) can be used to treat a fever. Aspirin should not be used in children or adolescents to control fever. The prognosis for a fever depends on the cause. Most cases of fever are self-limited and resolve with treatment of symptoms. A person who is taking immunosuppressant drugs or who has a history of or diagnosis of cancer , AIDS , or other serious illness, such as heart disease or diabetes , should seek medical care if a fever develops.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/1/2016 Fahrenheit To Celsius - How To Convert You are here: the calculator site » articles » fahrenheit to celsius - how to convert Fahrenheit To Celsius - How To Convert Article Category: Units | In this article, we will show you the easiest and most accurate ways to convert temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius and from Celsius to Fahrenheit. At first glance, the two scales do not seem to relate to each other at all and this is because of the different methodologies of the scientists after which they are named. As a note, before you start reading. You will find, on the second page of this article, some handy reference charts and a converter, to allow you to quickly convert between the units. Quick links to those are included below. Fahrenheit - Celsius converter The Fahrenheit scale The German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686ï¿½ 1736) came first. In 1714, he invented the mercury-in-glass thermometer that 300 years on is still one of the most accurate and most widely used means of measuring temperature.

Ten years later, Fahrenheit first proposed his temperature scale that set freezing point at 32 degrees (32ï¿½F) and water boiling point at 212ï¿½F. Why these points? For a start, Fahrenheit realised that the temperature at which water starts to freeze is a fair bit warmer than the coldest temperature measurable, which he calibrated by placing a thermometer into a mixture of iced water and ammonium chloride salt. This formed his zero point. He then observed that the temperature at which ice starts to form on the surface of water was 32 degrees warmer than zero. His third reference point was human body temperature (measured by placing the thermometer in the mouth or under the arm), which he calibrated at 96 degrees (later refined to 98.6ï¿½F) Fahrenheitï¿½s theoretical ultimate temperature was the boiling point of mercury, calculated at 600 degrees.

It was work by others that showed that on Fahrenheitï¿½s scale, the boiling point of water is about 179 degrees above its freezing point and this was standardised to 180 degrees, which is a nicely rounded (composite) number that is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. The Celsius scale The year Fahrenheit published his original scale, young Anders Celsius (1701 ï¿½ 1744) was a budding physicist, astronomer and mathematician. He went on to found Uppsala Astronomical Observatory in his native Sweden and a year later, in 1742, proposed his own temperature scale. By this point, Celsius had done a lot of research on temperature observing, for instance, that the boiling point of water varies with barometric pressure. Since he was aiming for a scale that could be used worldwide, Celsius set water boiling and freezing points exactly 100 degrees apart, calling his scale Centigrade from the Latin for ï¿½100 stepsï¿½.

Eccentrically, Celsius set freezing point at 100ï¿½C and water boiling point at 0ï¿½C. After the Great Manï¿½s death, fellow Swede Carl Linnaeus suggested to the Swedish Academy that this be reversed and a more intuitive scale was adopted in 1745. Kelvin scale We should also note that most scientists and engineers would not use either of these scales but would prefer a third one, the kelvin system developed by British physicist William Thomson, Baron Kelvin. This is based on recognition that heat is actually caused by movement of molecules inside a substance, with a theoretical Absolute Zero point at which there is no molecular activity at all. Just how cold this is can be understood when you note that on the Kelvin scale, water freezing (actually called the ï¿½triple pointï¿½ at which water, ice and water vapour can all co-exist) occurs at 273.16K, Boiling point is set exactly 100 points higher at 373.16K. Thus the kelvin represents the same magnitude of heat as the degree Celsius.

Switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius From the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries, Fahrenheit was the system most widely used in English-speaking countries, while continental Europeans preferred ï¿½The Swedish Scaleï¿½. With the drive to standardisation and metrication from the 1950s, Celsius became the adopted temperature scale for the EEC (later EU), with the UK and Ireland converting (somewhat reluctantly) after joining the European community. Is it 88ï¿½F or 31.1ï¿½C? You decide... This reluctance was partly due to human preference. For while the Celsius scale was developed for convenience, Fahrenheitï¿½s scale was based on observation and measurement. Also, whereas Fahrenheit had developed a ratio scale, Celsius had produced an interval scale. These are very different things, as we shall explain in a future article. This may help explain why many people prefer Fahrenheit readings as rather closer to actual experience. In Celsius, a chilly day at 11ï¿½C does not seem greatly different from a really hot one at 35ï¿½C.

On the Fahrenheit scale, these respectively measure at about 52ï¿½F and 95ï¿½F, with the latter traditionally taken as license for red top tabloids to start running 48 point headlines containing words like ï¿½Phewï¿½, ï¿½Flamingï¿½ and ï¿½Scorcherï¿½. Incidentally, while the UKï¿½s Met Office started publishing temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit from 1962 and dropping use of Fahrenheit altogether from official reports in 1970, British media persisted in using Fahrenheit in weather reports well into the 21st century. Indeed it became the fashion to use Celsius when describing extreme winter conditions and Fahrenheit for heat waves - a nice example of double standards in action. On the next page we look at the formulae for converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius, the most effective methods for quickly estimating conversions and we feature reference charts for comparison and a Fahrenheit and Celsius converter to help you check your conversions.

Question: To the nearest whole number what is the normal body temperature of a human on the Celsius scale?
Answer: 37